LUCAS AKINS’ second-half double was enough to hand Tranmere a third league win on the bounce and lift them into the play-off places with a comfortable victory over Hartlepool.

After the two sides went into the break locked in a stalemate the 22-year-old sparked into life and turned predator as his two close-range finishes did the job for Les Parry’s men.

And Rovers were well worth the victory, producing a perfect away performance, disciplined in defence and swift in attack, to inflict a third successive loss on the home side.

Parry’s side were fully committed from start to finish and, even when Pools changed to a three and then four-man forward line to claw a way back, Rovers remained stout and effective.

After only 64 seconds, Owain Fon-Williams was called into action.

James Poole, a former Manchester City academy prospect, surged past David Raven and laid the ball off to the edge of the area for Nathan Luscombe, whose fierce strike was tipped over by the keeper.

But Rovers soon had a chance of their own. Jose Baxter fed Adam McGurk and Scott Flinders had to get down low to keep the shot out at his near post.

Dave Buchanan was booked for a lunge on Andy Monkhouse on 19 minutes and, from the set-piece, Ian Goodison managed to hack away under pressure in a busy penalty area.

But Rovers’ compact 4-5-1 formation took the sting out of many of Pools’ attacks and the early spark the home side had wasn’t bright for long.

In possession, Pools stretched the visitors, with Luscombe, a former Sunderland academy and reserve team-mate of Rovers’ Robbie Weir, at the heart of most things they created.

He burst through the middle and laid the ball into the path of the advancing Evan Horwood, but his cross was cleared by Ash Taylor.

Then Horwood slipped a pass in for Poole, who shot over from 20 yards.

Rovers went close to taking the lead on 40 minutes as Akins surged past Stephen Wright and his clipped cross landed at the feet of McGurk.

The shot was heading for goal, until a last-ditch diving block by defender Neil Austin diverted the chance away.

But 22 seconds into the second half, Rovers took the lead.

A swift move down the right saw Buchanan feed McGurk, whose shot was parried by Flinders but fell invitingly for Akins.

Confidence boosted by the goal, Rovers started to control proceedings, picking up all the loose balls and moving the ball around comfortably.

Home skipper Sam Collins was cautioned after a foot-up on Mustapha Tiryaki and, from the free-kick 30 yards out, McGurk fancied his chances on a wet surface, although his low shot wasn’t a problem for Flinders.

It should have been two minutes later. Jose Baxter, with his loan spell from Everton extended, nodded down at the far post and Weir prodded over from six yards with only Flinders to beat.

Pools made a double attacking change but Akins was the one celebrating his second goal on 66 minutes. A long throw by McGurk was met at the near post by the attacker, who turned in from close range.

A heroic goal-line clearance from John Welsh four minutes later maintained the advantage.

However, this was the last scare the travelling Tranmere fans had to worry about.